While it's easy to forget (and some people don't want to remember), the Covid pandemic devastated the cruise industry. All voyages from US ports were stopped for a period of about 15 months and when they returned, things were not the same.
Once cruise lines were given permission to sail again, they were, at least initially, under heavy restrictions by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Ships were sailing at very limited capacity, social distancing was enforced, masks were required in indoor public spaces, and proof of vaccination was required.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line fixes a broken (and very important) system
In addition to keeping people apart, cruise lines also stepped up their cleaning regimen and tried to limit the number of commonly touched amenities. For months, it seemed that several members of the team were doing nothing more than disinfecting the handrails and the tables could not be used until they had been properly cleaned.
Most cruise lines have also largely eliminated paper on their ships. This included having menus and the daily schedule available via QR codes, although paper menus were always offered to people who requested them.
Getting rid of daily printed schedules, including Royal Caribbean's Cruise Compass and Carnival's Fun Times, was a controversial decision. It's something that made sense for both environmental and safety reasons, and also eliminated an expense for cruise lines.
Passengers, however, didn't like it and both Royal Caribbean and Carnival have made some changes.
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Image source: Caribe Real
Carnival brings pack the Fun Times newspaper
Royal Caribbean has continued to heavily push passengers to use its app for their onboard schedule. You can usually request a printed copy from Cruise Compass and they are sometimes offered at Guest Services.
Carnival Cruise Line (CCL) has completely reversed its pandemic ear policy, according to a recent post from brand ambassador John Heald.
“It's interesting to see that some people didn't realize that we now have the hard copy of Fun Times delivered to their cabin and, as you can see in today's cover photo, they are also available in the cafe,” he shared.
Heald then asked his followers how they track onboard activities, giving them four options:
- A: I read the print copy of Fun Times Plus and downloaded it on the Hubb app.
- B: I only read the print copy of Fun Times.
- C: I only read Fun Times from the Hubb app.
- D: I don't read Fun Times.
More than 4,100 Heald followers voted and shared their opinions.
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Most Carnival Passengers Want a Fun Times Newspaper
“On the last few cruises I learned to use the Hubb app, but I still enjoy coming back to the cabin at night and reading Fun Times in bed to see what I won't miss the next day,” wrote Susan Natale. .
Many people seem to use both.
“I love them both! And I bring a highlighter to mark up the paper copy. It makes my little paper-loving heart happy,” Linda Leon shared.
Other passengers like the printed version of Fun Times as a souvenir.
“I actually buy it from customer service when I pass by, not to use on the boat, but to have a souvenir of all the fun events (one day I'll put it all together in a scrapbook… with time,” Sara Rose Curry added.
Others like to be able to leave their phone in the room.
“I like to have the paper copy so I don't always have to carry my phone or any other device with me,” wrote Linda Sargent Carraway.
Related: Carnival Cruise Line reverses unpopular Covid-era policy
But while many people share those sentiments, others don't believe the printed version should remain in every room.
“I'm sad that the Fun Times newspaper is delivered to every cabin. It's a waste of paper for a lot of people. Having it available for people who need it is one thing, but going back to having a paper copy for each cabin creates a lot of waste.” “Barbara J. Valentine posted.
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